Roth IRA Calculator 2026
Enter your age, current balance, and annual contribution. The calculator shows projected Roth IRA growth using 2026 contribution limits and income phase-out rules.
2026 Roth IRA Contribution Limits & Income Phase-Outs
| Category | Limit / Range |
|---|---|
| Under age 50 — Max Contribution | $7,500 |
| Age 50+ — Catch-Up Contribution | $8,600 |
| Single / HoH — Phase-out begins | $150,000 |
| Single / HoH — Phase-out ends (no contribution) | $165,000 |
| Married Filing Jointly — Phase-out begins | $242,000 |
| Married Filing Jointly — Phase-out ends | $252,000 |
| Married Filing Separately — Phase-out begins | $0 |
| Married Filing Separately — Phase-out ends | $10,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What This Roth IRA Calculator Does
This calculator projects the future value of your Roth IRA contributions based on your annual contribution amount, expected return, and years until retirement. It also shows how much your balance would be worth in today's dollars (inflation-adjusted) and illustrates the tax-free nature of Roth growth by comparing it against a taxable account accumulating the same contributions.
Understanding Your Results
Future Value
Your projected Roth IRA balance at retirement, assuming consistent contributions and your specified rate of return. Because Roth withdrawals in retirement are tax-free, this number represents spendable income — unlike a traditional IRA or 401(k), where you'll owe income tax on each withdrawal.
Tax-Free Income in Retirement
The calculator shows how much annual income your Roth balance can support using a 4% withdrawal rate. If your Roth IRA is projected to reach $400,000, that supports $16,000/year in completely tax-free income — not taxable income that may also affect your Medicare premiums or Social Security taxation.
Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA
The fundamental tradeoff: with a Roth IRA, you contribute after-tax dollars and withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. With a traditional IRA, contributions may be tax-deductible, but withdrawals in retirement are taxed as ordinary income.
Roth wins when: you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement than today; you want to minimize taxable income in retirement for reasons beyond just income tax (Social Security taxation, Medicare premium calculations, estate planning); or you value the flexibility of no required minimum distributions.
Traditional wins when: you're in a high bracket now and expect a meaningfully lower bracket in retirement; you want the tax deduction today to fund more investing; or your employer offers a 401(k) but no Roth option and you're deciding between pre-tax and after-tax contributions.
2024–2025 Roth IRA Rules
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Contribution limit | $7,500/year ($8,600 if age 50+) |
| Income limit (single) | Phase-out begins at $146,000; eliminated at $161,000 |
| Income limit (married) | Phase-out begins at $230,000; eliminated at $240,000 |
| Contribution deadline | April 15 of following tax year |
| Required minimum distributions | None for Roth IRA during owner's lifetime |
| Early withdrawal of contributions | Tax and penalty-free any time (earnings subject to rules) |
Real-World Examples
Starting at 25 vs. 35
Contributing $7,500/year starting at 25 through age 65 (40 years, $300,000 total): at 7% annual return, ending balance approximately $1.50 million — all tax-free. Starting at 35 through 65 (30 years, $225,000 total): approximately $708,000. The 10-year difference roughly doubles the outcome despite only $75,000 more in contributions.
Backdoor Roth IRA (High Earners)
If your income exceeds the Roth contribution limit, a "backdoor Roth" involves making a non-deductible traditional IRA contribution and immediately converting it to Roth. This preserves Roth access for high earners but requires careful handling of the "pro-rata rule" if you have other traditional IRA balances.
Common Mistakes
Over-contributing
Contributing more than the annual limit results in a 6% excise tax on the excess each year the excess remains. If you discover an over-contribution, you have until your tax filing deadline (including extensions) to withdraw the excess without penalty.
Missing the deadline
Roth IRA contributions for a given tax year can be made until April 15 of the following year — meaning you can contribute to your 2024 Roth IRA as late as April 15, 2025. Many people miss this window without realizing they had extra time.
Tips and Best Practices
- Contribute early in the tax year — making your contribution in January rather than April gives the money an extra 15 months of compound growth.
- Prioritize Roth in lower-income years — early career, part-time years, or years with unusual deductions make Roth especially attractive since your marginal rate is lower.
- Consider Roth conversions in down market years — converting traditional IRA funds to Roth when account values are depressed means you pay tax on a smaller amount, and all subsequent recovery happens tax-free.
Related Calculators
- 401(k) Calculator — compare pre-tax retirement account growth.
- Compound Interest Calculator — model general compound growth.
- Retirement Withdrawal Calculator — plan distributions from your Roth balance.
- Income Tax Calculator — understand your current bracket for Roth vs. traditional decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I contribute to both a Roth IRA and a 401(k)?
Yes. The IRA limit ($7,500) and 401(k) limit ($24,500 for 2026) are completely separate. You can max both if income and cash flow allow. Many financial planners suggest: first get your full employer 401(k) match, then max a Roth IRA, then return to max the 401(k).
Are Roth IRA withdrawals always tax-free?
Contributions can be withdrawn at any time tax and penalty-free. Earnings are tax-free if the account has been open at least 5 years and you're 59½ or older (or meet other qualifying exceptions like first home purchase or disability).
What happens to a Roth IRA when I die?
A Roth IRA passes to your named beneficiaries. Surviving spouses can treat it as their own. Non-spouse beneficiaries must generally empty the account within 10 years, but still benefit from the tax-free growth and withdrawals the original owner established.
Is there a Roth option in a 401(k)?
Many employers now offer a Roth 401(k) option — same high contribution limits as traditional 401(k) but with after-tax contributions and tax-free withdrawals in retirement, with no income limits. If your employer offers it, it's worth evaluating alongside a Roth IRA.
Key Takeaways
The Roth IRA's combination of tax-free growth, no required minimum distributions, and flexible early access to contributions makes it one of the most powerful savings vehicles available for people eligible to contribute. The income limits exclude high earners from direct contributions, but the backdoor conversion strategy preserves access. Contributing consistently — ideally early in each tax year — and leaving the funds invested through retirement is the formula that makes Roth accounts transformative in long-run financial planning.